Not exactly the social event of the year, admittedly. But unfortunately a sad reality of modern life. According to organizers at Street Project, throughout Saskatchewan various needle exchange programs handed out around 4 million needles to 5000 injection drug users in 2009. Doing so helps limit the spread of blood-borne diseases like HIV and Hepatitis C in the province.
In a perfect world, of course, people wouldn’t use injection drugs. But we don’t live in a perfect world. Neither do we even live in a world where governments proactively embrace proven harm-reduction strategies like safe-injection sites. Far from it, in fact. Thus, the need for events like this.
With the snow now virtually gone, volunteers are gathering today to sweep through the Core and North-Central areas to remove used needles that had been discarded over the winter. If you’re free for a few hours and want to volunteer call 766-7799.
Also on tonight is Combat Improv at the Exchange where local improv artists will assemble at 8:30 p.m. to practice their craft.
